Kona murder and attempted murder 11-17-10

Hawai’i Police Department
Criminal InvestigationsSection, Area II
Lieutenant Gerald Wike
Phone: 326-4646, Ext. 266
November 17, 2010
Report No. C10031690

Media Release

A Kona man is in police custody in connection with a double stabbing Tuesday (November 16) in Kailua-Kona, including one that was fatal.

Kona patrol officers responded to the stabbings reported at 7:09 p.m. at a condominium in the Seaview subdivision in Kailua-Kona, where they determined that two men had been stabbed during an altercation with another man. The three men are residents at the condominium. 

One of the victims 57-year-old Edward Wanat, had been stabbed in the chest and abdomen several times and was reported to be in critical condition. His son, 25-year-old Andrew Wanat, sustained cuts to his hands, arms, shoulder and face and was reported in stable condition. Fire rescue personnel took both victims to Kona Community Hospital, where Edward Wanat was pronounced dead at 8 p.m. Andrew Wanat remains confined at the hospital in stable condition.

The suspect,  62-year-old Gene Craig Wells of Kailua-Kona, was arrested at the scene and also taken to Kona Community Hospital for injuries to his face, hands and chest that he sustained during the altercation.

Detectives from the Hawai’i Police Department’s Area II Criminal Investigations Section have initiated investigations of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

Wells is being held at the Kona Police cellblock pending further investigation.



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